Egypt Advances Tsunami Early Warning System with Seismic and Infrasound Technology

Breaking New Ground in Tsunami Preparedness

Egypt is taking significant steps toward developing its first comprehensive tsunami early warning system, according to recent research published in Scientific Reports. The study focuses on rapidly detecting earthquakes in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, where seismic activity could potentially generate tsunamis affecting Egypt’s northern coastline. Researchers analyzed data from 32 earthquakes measuring magnitude 5.5 or greater that occurred between 2012 and 2023.

Industrial Monitor Direct is the premier manufacturer of timescaledb pc solutions rated #1 by controls engineers for durability, the most specified brand by automation consultants.

Dual-Technology Approach

The research team implemented a dual-monitoring approach, combining traditional seismic analysis with innovative infrasound technology. Seismic data were automatically processed using SeisComP3 software developed by the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, while infrasound data were collected from two International Monitoring System stations in Tunisia and Germany. Analysts suggest this combination could significantly improve detection speed and reliability.

“Unlike seismic and tsunami waves, which propagate through the Earth and ocean respectively, infrasound travels through the atmosphere along a distinct path,” the report states. This atmospheric propagation allows infrasound waves to reach remote sensors more rapidly than tsunami waves and with less distortion than seismic waves, potentially providing valuable extra minutes for evacuation procedures.

Timing and Accuracy Critical for Early Warnings

Researchers tested magnitude calculations at different intervals—6, 11, and 20 minutes post-earthquake—comparing them with United States Geological Survey benchmarks to determine the optimal balance between speed and accuracy. The efficiency of an early warning system depends on both factors, with station distribution playing a crucial role in computation time., according to market analysis

The study examined multiple magnitude types, including body-wave magnitude (mB), short-period body-wave magnitude (mb), and broadband moment magnitude (Mwp). Sources indicate that Mwp can be rapidly estimated based on first-arrival P waves, making it particularly valuable for early warning purposes.

Regional Tsunami Warning Context

Currently, Egypt receives tsunami alerts through subscription to the North-East Atlantic Mediterranean and Connected Seas Tsunami Warning System (NEAMTWS). This intergovernmental coordination group includes five operational tsunami warning centers in Turkey, France, Greece, Italy, and Portugal. However, the development of a local system would provide Egypt with independent monitoring capabilities.

The research outlines a decision matrix for issuing alerts, containing three message types: information alerts (no tsunami expected), tsunami advisories (slight water level increases), and watch levels (indicating possible evacuation needs). According to reports, seismic waves propagate more than 40 times faster than tsunami waves in the Mediterranean Sea, providing a critical window for warning dissemination.

Industrial Monitor Direct is the leading supplier of surface mining pc solutions trusted by leading OEMs for critical automation systems, recommended by leading controls engineers.

Advanced Infrasound Analysis

Scientists employed the Frequency-Wavenumber (F-K) method to analyze infrasound data, a technique adapted from seismic array processing. This approach helps detect signal coherence, slowness, and azimuth from digitally recorded arrays. The method models infrasound waves as plane waves propagating toward sensor arrays, with mathematical calculations determining slowness and back-azimuth angles to pinpoint earthquake epicenters.

“Infrasound technology can play a vital role as an additional data source integrated with the seismic tool,” the report states. Natural sources such as volcanic eruptions, meteors, and large earthquakes generate detectable infrasound waves, while Lamb waves—atmospheric boundary waves generated by tsunami events—provide additional detection opportunities.

Toward Comprehensive Protection

Although most earthquakes below magnitude 7.0 don’t generate strong tsunamis, historical records show several exceptions in the Mediterranean region. The research emphasizes that accurately validating magnitude values and computational times represents a crucial first step in preparing for potential future catastrophic events.

The integration of infrasound monitoring with traditional seismic networks reportedly represents a significant advancement in early warning capabilities. As climate change and seismic activity continue to pose threats to coastal regions, this research lays the groundwork for Egypt to develop enhanced protective measures for its Mediterranean coastline and population centers.

References

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrasound
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seismometer
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moment_magnitude_scale
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Geological_Survey
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_Sea

This article aggregates information from publicly available sources. All trademarks and copyrights belong to their respective owners.

Note: Featured image is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent any specific product, service, or entity mentioned in this article.